Washing machine



April's ,1926. 579,397 H. W. ROUTSON WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 4, 1922 Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

UETE

ATENT HOWARD W. ROUTSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO MINIMAX UTILITIES CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed October 4, 1922. Serial No. 592,436.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Howann W. RoU'rsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in a l Vashing Machine, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a clothes wash ing machine, and especially to a machine of the reciprocating plunger type.

The object of the present invention 1s to generally improve and simplify washing machines of the character described; to provide a machine which is readily and easily installed, and particularly adapted for use in connection with stationary wash trays or tubs; a machine which will not obstruct the faucets-and drain connections employed, and which does not overhang or in any way interfere with the ordinary use of the tubs; to provide a reciprocating arm and plunger detachable with relation to the actuating mechanism, and vertically adjustable with relation thereto and to provide a novel and resilient connection between the cups and the plunger; and further to providemeans whereby a step by step rotary movement is automatically imparted to the cups and plunger when in operation. Other objects will hereinafter appear.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front view of the machine showing the cover casing partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine showing the cover casing in section.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a base member preferably constructed of wood, and which is adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to a suitable support. Secured to the upper end of the base section A is a cast-iron frame, generally indica'ted at 2, and supported on the upper end of the frame is an electric motor 3 of suitable construction. Disposed centrally with relation to the frame 2, and the base board A, is a stationary rod 4, the upper end of the rod being secured to the frame 2, as at 5, and the lower end to a bracket 6, which in turn is secured to. the base board. Slidably mounted on the stationary rod is a tube 7, and secured to the upper end thereof is a cross head 8, provided with a pair of transversely extending arms 9, which are slotted, as at 10. Jo-urnalled in the lower end of the frame 2 is a shaft 11, and secured in the upper portion of the frame is a stationary stud shaft 12, on the inner end of which is journalled a gear 13. Secured on the inner end of the shaft 11 is a driving pinion 14, which meshes with the gear 18, and secured 011 the outer end of the shaft 11 is a driving pulley 15, which is driven by the motor 3 through a belt '16. The pulley l5 and the gears 13 and 14 form a reduction drive and a reciprocal movement is transmitted to the tube 7 and the cross head 8, through means of a crank pin 17, which is secured on the inner face of the gear 13. This crank pin projects into the transverse slot 10 formed in the laterally extending arms 9, and friction is at'this point reduced to a minimum by placing a roller thereon as indicated at 18. Secured on the lower end of the reciprocating tube 7 is abracket member 19, and forming an extension thereof is a plate 20, which is vertically slotted as at 21. Adapted. to be secured to the plate 20 is a forward 1y projecting arm 22, and vertically disposed in the outer end of the arm and turnably mounted therein is a plunger 23, which carries a pair of cups 24. The arm 22 and the plunger and cups carried thereby are vertically adjustable with relation to the actuating mechanism, to-wit, the plate 20, the bracket 19, and the reciprocating tube 7, and the arm and plunger, together with the cups carried thereby, are also detachable with relation to the actuating mechanism. This is accomplished as follows:

As previously stated plate 20 is longitudinally slotted, as at 21. A bolt 25 passes through the slotted portion of the plate 20 and a hole formed in the arm. One end of the bolt is headed as shown and the opposite end is threaded to receive a wing clamping nut 26. One side of the plate is provided with a pair of grooves 27, (see Fig. 3) and tongues projecting into said, grooves are formed 011 the inner end of the arm 22. The tongues and grooves into which they project form avertical guide for the arm 22 and also secure it against pivotal or turning movement about the bolt 25. This mechanism permits quick and ready vertical ad justment of the arm with re ation to the plate 20, or in other words the actuating mechanism, and it also permits the arm, together with the members supported thereby, to be entirely detached when desired.

For the purpose of imparting a step by step turning movement to the plunger and the cups supported thereby, a ratchet collar 28 is employed. This collar is secured near the upper end oi? the plunger and it is engaged by a pawl 29, which is pivotally secured to a rocker segment 30, which in turn is pivotally attached to the bracket 19 as at 31. The lower end oi the rocker segment engages a stationary cam plate 32 secured to one side of the base board A, and an oscillating movement is thus imparted to the rocker segment during each reciprocal movement of the tube 7 and the parts carried thereby; this oscillating movement being in turn transmitted through the pawl 29 gradually rotates the plunger and the cups carried thereby.

Another novel feature disclosed in the present application. is the connection formed between the plunger and the cups. This connection is resilient and permits universal movement oi the cups. The connection consists of a heavy spring wire secured to the lower end oi? the plunger in any suitable manner as at 33. Each end is then coiled or looped, as at 34; and 35, the free end of the coil 35 being extended as at 36 to support the cup indicated at 2'1, and the free end oi? the coil 3t extended to support the cup 2%. This particular connection between the plunger and the cups is of great importance as it not only permits universal movement of the cups with relation to the plunger, but it also permits a resilient action when the cups are forced into engagement with the clothes to be washed.

It is well known that practically every private dwelling, flat, apartment house, etc., is provided with stationary wash trays or tubs, which are usually discarded when a washing machine is bought as the majority of washing machines sold on the market today are self-contained to the extent that the washing mechanism is usually enclosed by a tub for the reception ot clothing; the tub being not only employed for washing, but also for rinsin bluing, etc. The purpose oi the present invention is to provide a washing machine which may be employed in conjunction with stationary tubs or trays, and which may be readily placed in position with relation to the same; for instance by bolting the base board A directly to the wall or studding behind the trays, and preferably in a position where it will be centrally positioned with relation to the tray which is employed for washing. Such positioning of the presentmachine may be readily accomplished as it may be bolted directly to the wall or other support employed. The machine when so positioned does not obstruct or in any way interfere with the ordinary use of the tubs as the only parts which project over the tub. are the arm the plunger 23 and the cups carried thereby. These members may however be quickly detached, it desired, as it only necessary to release the bolt by loosening the clamp ing wing nut 26.

in actual practice it can be seen that when the motor is set in operation reciprocal movement will be transmitted to the tube 7, the bracket 19 and the members carried thereby, and that a step by step rotar movement will be imparted to the plun er and cups during each upward reciprocal movement as the cam sector 30 will then engage the forward face of the cam and thus impart the rotary movement desired. The cups will therefore engage the clothing at a dill crent point during each desired stroke and the water will be uniformly :t'orced through the fabric at all points. Most tubs employed today are standard as far as depth, width and length are considered, for it any slight variation is encountered, it can le taken care of, first by adjusting the base board with relation to the tubs, and secondly by adjusting the arm 22 with relation to the plate 20. Again it the amount of clothing is heavier than usual, or conversely lighter, it is also possible to vertically adjust the arm to obtain the best results available; the entire adjusting operation being quickly accomplished by merely loosening the wing nut and then tightening the same when the adjustment has been obtained. The entire rotating mechanism, to-wit, the pulleys and gears, and also the cross-head rcciprocated thereby, is in this instance enclosed by a. cover casing such as shown at it); this casing being secured by a single screw ll, which in turn is carried by the stationary stud shaft 12. Safety regulations, regarding the enclosure of gears, pulleys, belts, etc., employed in connection with machinery, are thus complied with and all danger in connection therewith is eliminated.

Any suitable form oi electric motor may be employed, but practi c has tlCtCIlfllIlCtl that a fractional horse-power motor connected with an ordinary lighting circuit is all that is required. Electrical connections employed are therefore simple and a standard lighting switch will be all that is required when starting or stopping the machine.

lVhile certain 'l'catures oi the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes in term and proportion may he resorted to within the scope oi the appended claims, similarly that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate or various uses may demand.

In the present instance I have shown the bracket member 19 as provided with a single plate 20. I wish it understood, however, that two or more plates may be employed if desired and that these plates may be angularly disposed so that two or three arms, with connected plungers and cups, may be attached to the reciprocating mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character described a stationar frame, a reciprocating member mounted in the frame, a bracket secured to the reciprocating member, an arm detachable with relation to the bracket and vertically adjustable thereon, a plunger turnably mounted in the arm, a ratchet gear secured to the plunger, a segmental-shaped arm pivotally secured to the bracket, a pawl pivotally mounted on said arm and engageable with the ratchet gear, and a cam member secured to the stationary frame and engageable with the segmental arm.

2. In a machine of the character described, a stationary frame, a reciprocating member mounted in the frame, a plunger carried by the reciprocating member and turnably mounted therein, a segment pivotally mounted on the reciprocating member and movable in unison therewith, a pawl pivotally mounted on the segment, a cam secured on the stationary frame adapted to impart a rocking movement to the segment, and means for transmitting movement from the pawl to intermittently rotate the plunger.

HOWARD W. ROUTSON. 

